Sunday, May 28, 2017

This ceremony will start at 11 AM at the Pack Square War Memorial. There will be music, poetry, prayer and readings from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence’ speech. The Veterans for Peace will also lay a memorial wreath. Free and open to the public.

05/29/17 MEMORIAL DAY ACTION AGAINST PIPELINES

Smoky Mountain Eco-Defense will be holding a protest against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline this Memorial Day in honor of Jim Marker. Jim was a father, veteran, water protector, humanitarian and dedicated environmentalist who was killed by police in Florida on February 26 after he successfully decommissioned several pieces of construction equipment for the Sabal Trail Pipeline. After initially claiming he fired at police, law enforcement have since backed down on this lie and are now refusing to release dash cam footage of Jim’s death. Duke Energy is behind both the Sabal Trail Pipeline in FL and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline which threatens our mountains, farms, and wetlands from West Virginia to North Carolina. If built the ACP would destroy thousands of acres of fields and forests and escalate the climate crisis with the massive daily deliveries of fracked gas to Duke Energy’s gas power plants in the Carolina’s and beyond. Join us in honoring the life of Jim Marker by protesting Duke Energy’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline this Memorial Day. Kill Pipelines not People! Bring signs, banners, and friends! Time is 3 to 5 PM and location is Vance Monument.

05/30/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

05/30/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups educating and organizing white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. Asheville SURJ hosts a weekly discussion group on risk-taking, accountability, mutual interest and how to call more white people into racial justice work. Anyone with a passion for working with white people on racial justice is welcome. Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

05/30/17 LAKOTA SOLIDARITY EVENT

Lakota Solidarity Beyond Standing Rock - This event includes a discussion around the situation on Pine Ridge and the growing movement for independence and the solidarity actions that grassroots grandmothers and warriors have requested. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

05/30/17 DOCUMENTARY AT THE COLLIDER IN ASHEVILLE

“Wings of Life” documentary film screening at The Collider at 1 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 6:30 PM. $5 admission. Call 1-828-CLIMATE for more information. This is part of their monthly series of movies on the environment and climate change.

05/31/17 BENEFIT CONCERT FOR GUARDIAN AD LITEM ASSOCIATION

“A Musical Voyage” concert with Duo Vela and Demeler will be held at The Block Off Biltmore (39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville) at 8:30 PM. Proceeds will be donated to the Guardian ad Litem association fund for children in foster care. Call 694-4215 for more information.

05/31/17 FUNDRAISER FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

“Migration”: Fundraiser for Pisgah Legal’s Services for Low-Income Immigrants. May 31 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Progressive dinner featuring Cúrate, En la Calle, French Broad Chocolates, and The Block Off Biltmore, to raise money to expand Pisgah Legal’s services to low-income immigrants due to increased demand. Since 2002, Pisgah Legal Services’ Justice for All Project has served local immigrants in Western North Carolina by providing basic needs such as stable housing, safety from abuse, food security, and technical assistance obtaining legal immigration status and work authorization. All proceeds raised from the event will support this work and will be matched dollar-for-dollar.The progressive dinner begins at Curate at 5:00 pm. For more information, email brent@pisgahlegal.org or call 828-210-3405.

05/31/17 JUST PEACE IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE MEETING

This meeting will be at 9:30 AM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Road in Black Mountain. Contact Beth at elizakeiser@aol.com or 828 707 4271 for more information.

05/31/17 REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS EVENT

Join us to check out this new virtual reality film and meet groups working for reproductive rights and justice. “Across the Line” is a virtual reality film that places viewers in the shoes of a patient facing harassment as they enter a health center for a safe and legal abortion. Using real audio gathered at protests outside of clinics, scripted scenes, and documentary footage, the film is a powerful hybrid documentary-fiction depiction of the toxic environment that many health care providers, health center staff, and patients must walk through to provide or access health care on a typical day. You will have an opportunity to view this short film and find out how you can get involved, as a volunteer, advocate, etc., in efforts to safeguard reproductive rights and justice in NC. Time is 6 to 8 PM and location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. Phone 828-254-9277 for more information about the event. Sponsored by Working Films, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, Western North Carolina Citizens Ending Institutional Bigotry, and Carolina Abortion Fund. For more information about the film, contact Working Films at alee@workingfilms.org or 910.342.9000

05/31/17 PARTICIPATORY ORGANIZING

Participatory Organising: From Co-op to Network to Mass Movement. Organizing democratically is hard! How do we hear from everyone and still get work done? How do we grow a collaborative culture while we still live within a competitive society? When nobody is the boss, how do we handle money, information, and power? Nati and Rich have been working in nonhierarchical organizations for more than five years. They’re touring the US sharing tools and processes for working collaboratively. We're going to host a conversation where we can learn together how to organize when nobody is in charge. Time is 7 PM and location is Firestorm at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville.

06/01/17 SEEKING TRUTH & TRANSPARENCY: NORTH CAROLINA’S ROLE IN US TORTURE

Mr. Frank Goldsmith and Ms. Christina Cowger will speak June 1st in Asheville on the recently formed NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture (NCCIT) and on North Carolina’s history in extraordinary rendition and torture by the US government. Mr. Goldsmith is Co-Chair of the Commission, and an area civil rights attorney who has represented Guantanamo prisoners. He will speak on the founding, purpose, and significance of the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. Ms. Cowger, active in anti-torture efforts since 2005 through NC Stop Torture Now, will speak on North Carolina’s connection to torture and how communities can support the NCCIT’s inquiry. This event will be held at the Land of the Sky UCC at 15 Overbrook Place in Asheville. This will be from 6 to 8 PM on June 1, 2017. Childcare will be available. The public is invited, and donations will be accepted. Donations should be directed to NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. Sponsored by Land of the Sky UCC, Asheville Friends Meeting Peace & Earth Committee, WNC Chapter of the ACLU, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099, WNC 4 Peace, and Fellowship of Reconciliation. For more information, please contact Susan at dancewater2@gmail.com.

06/01/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE MEETING

Meet Sarah Ogletree, our Wake Forest Divinity School Intern, on Thursday, June 1, 5:30-7 PM. At First Baptist Church, MB306 Upstairs, at 5 Oak Street in Asheville. Join us to meet our first Wake Forest Divinity School Intern Sarah Ogletree, to hear about Watershed Discipleship and some of the programs and work she has planned for the summer. We will also celebrate the Earth Day Vigil, Climate March and talk about upcoming events. Contact Scott, Creation Care Alliance at scott@creationcarealliance.org for more information.

6/3/2017 HOOD HUGGERS "ANCESTORS IN THE GARDEN" EVENT

Join Hood Huggers International on Saturday, June 3 from 3 - 7 pm at the Burton Street Community Peace Garden, 47 Bryant Street, for interactive performances, music, food, and more. Help celebrate infrastructure improvements in the garden. You can also stop by as early as 1 pm for garden tours. Hood Huggers is an organization dedicated to "Rebuilding Affrilachia" and using art to drive social change. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 each. There are $50 sponsor tickets available for those that want to support the work of Hood Huggers and sponsor tickets for others. Find out more and get tickets at www.hoodhuggers.com.

06/06/17 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB

Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. They are reading “Demand the Impossible! A Radical Manifesto” by Bill Ayers. Time is 7 PM. Contact Malaprops for more information.

06/07/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

This meeting is organized by the City of Asheville. This meeting is free and open to the public. This meeting is at Burton Street Center at 134 Burton Street in west Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Call 251-1122 for more information.

06/07/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Sierra Club meeting, and the topic is “Preventing Duke Energy’s 3rd Gas-Powered Electric Plant.” On Wednesday, June 7, the Sierra Club will present an update from Asheville’s Energy Innovation Task Force about reducing energy use in Buncombe County so as to avoid construction of a new, natural gas peaking unit. Julie Mayfield, Asheville City Council; Brownie Newman, Buncombe County Commission; and Jason Walls, Duke Energy, will report on how the three-way partnership – Buncombe County, Asheville, and Duke Energy – is progressing. The Energy Innovation Task force has been working for just over a year. It has made recommendations to the City and County for new programs and investments. Duke, in turn, has made groundbreaking announcements on the deployment of new technology in our area. Don’t miss this important update. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (corner of Charlotte & Edwin) in Asheville. Time is 7 PM and this event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Judy Mattox at judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176.

06/09/17 CLIMATE RISK AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Friday June 9, 5-6:30 PM. Admiral Titley presentation on “Climate Risk & National Security: People Not Polar Bears” at The Collider Suite 401, 1 Haywood St. (on 4th floor of Wells Fargo Building next to Pritchard Park) in Asheville. If you would like to help with the Admiral Titley event or need more information, please contact Dale Stratford, bdstratford1@gmail.com. [This sounds like he thinks people are more important than polar bears, which I do not agree with. - dancewater]

06/14/17 FAIR VOTE TOWN HALL IN CLYDE

June 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Town Hall gathering for WNC citizens concerned about making democracy fair again. Non-partisan panel discussion about redistricting, featuring Tom Ross, former UNC President and Superior Court Judge; Chris Cooper, chair of WCU’s Political Science Department; Jane Pinksy, from the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform; Robert Orr, former NC Supreme Court Justice; and Republican and Democratic state legislators. Sponsors include Democracy NC, the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform, the Asheville-Buncombe County NAACP, and the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters. Come learn about fair vote redistricting and share your questions and concerns about the current fight for redistricting reform in North Carolina. Location is Haywood Community College Auditorium at 185 Freedlander Drive in Clyde. Free admission.

06/15/17 ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

On Thursday, June 15, 2017, the Area Agency on Aging's Ombudsman Program and Buncombe County Health & Human Services will be hosting the Buncombe County World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Walk. The Walk will take place at Carrier Park from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. For more information contact Julia Gibson at 828.251.6622 or julia@landofsky.org.

06/16/17 MORE THAN A MONTH SERIES

Sheriff Van Duncan and Police Chief Hooper - OLLI “More Than a Month Series.” OLLI’s Inclusion Committee has organized a varied series of programs to highlight issues of African American culture in Asheville and beyond. We hope that by offering opportunities to learn more that we will create a forum for challenging conversations. The noted author James Baldwin observed, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” It is in that spirit of facing history and facing ourselves that we take to understanding the many ways that race informs our culture. On Friday, June 16, at 1:30 PM, the Policing Minority Communities: Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper and Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan will discuss the ongoing efforts to build productive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Location is Reuter Center at UNCA. Contact Catherine Frank at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville at olliasheville.com or 828-251-6188 for more information.

06/21/17 GREEN DRINKS

This is a Sustainability and Social Justice Meet-up. Come early for community connections and green drink specials. This happens on the third Wednesday of each month. Socializing from 5:30 – 6PM and presentation from 6 – 7PM. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at 39 South Market Street at Asheville. Call 828-254-9277 for more information.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Dozens of local churches signed on to this declaration in the last couple of months:

A DECLARATION OF SOLIDARITY WITH IMMIGRANTS BY PEOPLE OF FAITH IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

As members of faith communities and immigrant communities in Western North Carolina, we find ourselves in turbulent times. New policies on immigration enforcement threaten to round up immigrants, split apart families, and deport our neighbors, who have lived and worked as contributing members of our communities for decades.

Recent executive orders on immigration and the Department of Homeland Security memos that implement tham dangerously escalate existing anti-immigrant policies. They target all undocumented community members by terminating prosecutorial discretion. They penalize asylum seekers and family members who help children seek safety. They force local police to serve as immigration agents.

By executive order, detainees and deportees now include parents of young children, long-time, well-established residents who hold jobs and pay taxes, devoted moms and dads, and even patients seeking treatment for serious illnesses.

These extraordinary actions divide children from their parents, and siblings and spouses from one another. Aggressive raids by ICE agents (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) are instilling acute fear and anxiety throughout the immigrant community. They threaten to impede not only the American spirit of neighborliness and good will but also the industry and commerce of our nation.

As Americans, we are dismayed. As people of faith we are also committed to taking action. As Protestants and Catholics, Buddhists and Jews, Unitarian Universalists and Muslims, Bahá’í and Pagans, Quakers and others, we share at least two spiritual imperatives: to love our neighbors, and to welcome those who come from far off lands seeking shelter.

In the Hebrew Scriptures it is written “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) Jesus cites this text and proclaims love of neighbor as one the two greatest commandments. (Mark 12:31) The Prophet Muhammad cautioned, “None of you will believe until you love for all others what you love for yourself.” (Hadith) In the same vein, Buddha taught “As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child, even so should one cherish all with a boundless heart.” (Khuddaka Nikaya)

As people of faith, we must therefore stand in solidarity with the approximately eleven million people who are living in this country peaceably and productively and whose status is now threatened by these unprecedented actions.

We pledge to do everything in our power, as individuals and as faith communities, to protect the immigrants among us from hostile action by our government. Working alongside our immigrant neighbors, we will create sanctuary spaces and raise money for legal assistance. We will urge and pursue federal, state and local actions (see addendum) that will open the way for immigrants to achieve their full potentials as sojourners in this land.

God protect our neighbors, and God grant us one and all the courage to stand with them.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Just back from a week in Moscow, I feel obliged to point out a few things about it.

•Most people there still love Americans.

•Many people there speak English.

•Learning basic Russian is not that hard.

•Moscow is the biggest city in Europe (and far bigger than any in the United States).

•Moscow has the charm, culture, architecture, history, activities, events, parks, museums, and entertainment to match any other city in Europe.

•It’s warm there now with flowers everywhere.

•Moscow is safer than U.S. cities. You can walk around alone at night with no worries.

•The Metro goes everywhere. A train comes every 2 minutes. The trains have free Wi-Fi. So do the parks.

•You can rent bicycles at lots of different spots and return them to any other.

•You can fly direct from New York to Moscow, and if you fly on the Russian airline Aeroflot you’ll get a nostalgic reminder of what it’s like to have airplane seats large enough to hold a human being.

•Everybody says that St. Petersburg and various other cities are even more beautiful than Moscow.

•Right now the sun is up from 4:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Moscow, and until 9:30 p.m. in St. Petersburg. The longest day of the year in St. Petersburg is 18-and-a-half hours.

Americans seem not to know about Russia. While four-and-a-half million Americans visit Italy in a year, and two-and-a-half million go to Germany as tourists, only 86 thousand go to Russia. More tourists go to Russia from several other countries than go there from the U.S.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Please note: I have stopped including events I found on Facebook because those events have to be retyped (they cannot be cut and pasted for date, time and location) and I make mistakes (and unfortunately, lead people astray). Also, there is generally no contact information for people to check out. If you have an event that you would like to have included on this calendar, please send me an email and include a contact email or phone number. Thanks!

05/22/17 DIPLOMACY & MEDIA IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Colton, Diplomat-in-Residence at Lenoir-Rhyne University-Asheville, will present four lectures focused on Diplomacy, Politics and News. Dr. Colton is an Emmy-award winning journalist who has worked for ABC News, NBC News, Newsweek, and NPR. The Asheville native also had a distinguished career as a U.S. Foreign Service diplomat in seven Middle Eastern countries. The Monday night series includes: May 22 - Global Diplomacy and Asheville in the world. All lectures will take place at Lenoir-Rhyne’s Asheville Center, which is located at 36 Montford Avenue in downtown Asheville. Doors will open each night at 5 PM, and lectures will begin at 5:30 PM. RSVP is required, so please call 828-407-4263.

05/22/17 REDISTRICTING COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING IN SYLVA

May 22 | Redistricting Communications Training in Sylva | Jackson County. Help build a movement! Join us for a Canvassing Training on May 22, at 4 p.m. Learn the nuts & bolts of one of the most important types of communication in organizing: canvassing & Petitioning. This training will be focused on our redistricting campaign. We'll teach you how to explain this topic succinctly at the door and get the folks you're talking to sign a petition to support reform. We'll thoroughly explain the topic, do role plays, cover best-practices and tips, and give you materials you'll need to get started. You can take petitions with you to either canvass door to door or collect signatures at community events. WHEN: Monday May 22 from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. WHERE: Jackson County Library (310 Keener St., Sylva, NC 28779). RSVP to let us know you'll be there! For more information, place contact Darlene Azarmi at 828-216-3430 or darlene@democracy-nc.org.

05/23/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

05/23/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups educating and organizing white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. Asheville SURJ hosts a weekly discussion group on risk-taking, accountability, mutual interest and how to call more white people into racial justice work. Anyone with a passion for working with white people on racial justice is welcome. Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

05/23/17 FIGHT FOR SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE

Come hear one of the most prominent Universal Healthcare advocates of our generation, Dr. Margaret Flowers, and local area speakers discuss the necessity for building a movement for Universal Single-Payer Healthcare now, and why it cannot wait. Dr. Margaret Flowers is one of the most prominent Universal Healthcare advocates of our generation, as well as a long-time social & economic justice and anti-war activist. Let's discuss the necessity for building a national movement for Universal Single-Payer Healthcare Now, and why it cannot wait. Most of the stops will be sponsored by the PNHP affiliates Healthcare for All and Healthcare Justice. This is sponsored by the NC Green Party. Contact Tony Ndege at cochair@ncgreenparty.org for more information, including how to register. Location is the Pack Memorial Library at 67 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Time is 6 PM, with program starting at 6:30 PM.

05/23/17 ASHEVILLE TIMEBANK POTLUCK

Tuesday, May 23, 5:30 pm: Asheville TimeBank holds its monthly potluck. It's a picnic at West Asheville Park, at the foot of Vermont Ave. Information: help@ashevilletimebank.org.

05/23/17 MEN’S DIVERSITY CIRCLE

The Men's Diversity Circle at Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Rd, Asheville. Start time: May 23rd 2017, 7:00:00 pm. End Time: May 23rd 2017, 8:30:00 pm. From circle organizer Duncan Tam: As men of color and culture, we navigate the margins of power and privilege from cradle to grave. We inherit the legacies of our ancestors and pass down our love and pain to our children. In circle, we give support, voice and strength to each other in our personal challenges with the experiences of exclusion and inclusion, and celebrate the contributions we make in our lives and in all our relations. All men of color are welcome. For more information, call Firestorm.

05/23/17 FORUM AT YMI CENTER

#BlackAchievementMatters, forming a common agenda for African American student’s success - a spring forum hosted by Organic Synergy featuring Dr. Carter Andrews. Evening meal, refreshments and childcare provided. Free. Time is 6 to 8 PM, location is 39 South Market Street in downtown Asheville. Call 252-4614 for more information.

05/24/17 AUTHOR EVENT IN ASHEVILLE

The Mediation Center will be presenting Chuck Collins, author of “On Coming Home: A Pathway to Reducing Inequalities.” Chuck Collins, a storyteller, researcher, agitator and campaigner who grew up in the wealthiest 1 percent, has spent the last 30 years working on issues of racial and economic justice and shifting the stuck national debate about wealth inequality, racial wealth divisions, and taxation. His newest book is “Born on Third Base: A One Percenter Makes the Case for Tackling Inequality, Bringing Wealth Home, and Committing to the Common Good.” The PBS Newshour called this book “one of the five new books that makes you think about what it means to be human.” Join the conversation about finding common ground to create stronger communities for everyone. Location is Asheville Masonic Temple at 80 Broadway Street in Asheville. Tickets are $12, event only/$42, with pre-event reception. Time is 5:30 PM for reception with Mr. Collins, and 6:30 - 8 PM for the talk by Chuck Collins. Contact Laura Jeffords at laurahj@mediatewnc.org with questions or for sponsorship opportunities.

05/25/17 PISGAH LEGAL AMBASSADOR TRAINING

Please join us for Ambassador Training. Ambassador training provides board members, volunteers, and supporters with an overview of key information about Pisgah Legal Services' programs, plans, and fundraising. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more to get an "insider's" snapshot of PLS. It is also an opportunity to share your insights on how we communicate our messages in the community. Time is noon, and location is Pisgah Legal Services at 62A Charlotte Street in Asheville. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Brent McKnight at brent@pisgahlegal.org or 828-210-3405 if you plan to attend.

05/25/17 ENKA CANDLER COMMUNITY FORUM

Thursday May 25, 6-8 PM. Enka-Candler Community Forum with the Commissioners at Bent Creek Community Park (food truck at 5:30pm) This information came from Citizens Climate Lobby - Asheville Chapter. Contact them at asheville@citizensclimatelobby.org for more information.

05/25/17 DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT CLEAN WATER AND THE NAVAJO STRUGGLE

On May 25th at 7:00, the Social Action Committee of the UUSVC at 500 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, will sponsor a showing of the film "Four Stories About Water" which is about the Navajo struggle for clean water as told in the voices of the people who live these stories. The discussion will revolve around the audience's own stories about water. For more information, please call Suzanne Ziglar, 581-0564.

05/25/17 MEN DOING OPPRESSION, MEN DOING OPPRESSED, MEN DOING ALLY

Men Doing Oppression, Men Doing Oppressed. Men Doing Ally at Firestorm Books & Coffee, 610 Haywood Rd, Asheville. Start time: May 25th 2017, 7:00:00 pm. End Time: May 25th 2017, 9:00:00 pm. Every second Thursday at 7:00pm since Sep 2016 Sexism. Queerphobia. Racism. Who are you doing it to? Who's doing it to you? Who's saving whom? Who's doing nothing? Who are you allying with? What's happening when you act in any and all the roles of persecutor, victim, rescuer, bystander and ally with others in our world of White male privilege and domination? We gather as men to explore interpersonal, structural, economic and institutional systems of injustice and the ways each of us is the oppressed and the oppressor, and learn to serve as allies, being responsive and accountable for what we choose to brave in our own lives, and with and for all our relations. Who's welcome: All Men – White, Cis, Indigenous, Queer, of Color, Trans, and Those called to do Ally. Facilitated by Duncan Tam. For more information, call Firestorm.

05/26/17 ANTI-RACISM ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP AT UNITARIAN CONGREGATION

A weekly group focused on Standing Up For Racial Justice core values for people beginning to wake up to the impact of white supremacy on our culture and seeking a safe place to begin to talk about it. Time is 10 AM and location is 23 Edwin Place, next to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lainschell.com for more information.

05/27/17 CONCERT BENEFIT FOR MLK YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

“One Moment in Time” concert benefits MLK Youth Scholarship Fund. Acclaimed Asheville singer Darryl Rhymes will bring his flawless voice and real passion to this gala benefit concert for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association’s Youth Scholarship Fund. This benefit concert will be held Saturday, May 27, 6-8 PM at the Crowne Plaza Resort, 1 Resort Drive, Asheville. Cost is only $20/ticket (all proceeds go to MLK Scholarship Fund); to order, contact DarrylRhymesSingsForYou@gmail.com. All proceeds from this concert will go to the MLK Scholarship Fund. If you cannot attend but would like to support the scholarship fund, your generosity will be greatly appreciated. To order tickets or for information about donating, email DarrylRhymesSingsForYou@gmail.com. After placing your order, you will be contacted by email or phone to pick up your tickets during the first week of May. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

05/27/17 RIVER CLEAN UP

Saturday May 27th - Mtn Sports Festival River Cleanup. Join Bellyak, French Broad Outfitters and the Young Professionals of Asheville for a cleanup of the French Broad from Hominy to Craven St. Cleanup the river and try out a new Bellyak. 10am to 1pm. Meetup location is 230 Hominy Creek Road, Asheville. Contact info@mountainsportsfestival.com for more information.

05/28/17 SILENT VIGIL FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IN HENDERSONVILLE

This will be at the Henderson County Courthouse on Main Street in Hendersonville (between 1st and 2nd Streets) from 5 to 6 PM. There will be signs available for people to hold, or you can bring your own. This is a coalition of churches and nonprofits. This came from the Progressive Organized Women of Henderson County. Happens monthly. Contact POWHvilleNC@gmail.com for more information.

05/28/17 WNC SOLIDARITY CONCERT SERIES

The final Sunday of each month in 2017, two groups of WNC-based musicians and their ensembles will each perform a benefit concert to raise funding for WNC nonprofits. The music performed each week will fluctuate between jazz, rhythm & blues, soul, jazz funk, jazz fusion, and swing. Each event will host two groups, playing, consecutively between 3 and 5 PM with a brief intermission. All of proceeds go to the nonprofit organization. The nonprofit for today is Cherokee Seed Corn. Act I is Bill Berg Trio and Act II is the Daniel Barber Quartet. Location is The Block Off Biltmore at Eagle and South Market Streets in downtown Asheville. Suggested donation is $10, and are available the day of the event. Please call The Block Off Biltmore for more information.

05/29/17 MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY BY VETERANS FOR PEACE

This ceremony will start at 11 AM at the Pack Square War Memorial. There will be music, poetry, prayer and readings from Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence’ speech. The Veterans for Peace will also lay a memorial wreath. Free and open to the public.

05/30/17 VETERANS FOR PEACE VIGIL - BECAUSE THE WARS STILL GO ON

Every Tuesday, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099 holds a vigil at Vance Monument in downtown Asheville. Time is 5 PM. This has been happening since 2002. No matter the weather, no matter if it falls on a holiday, they are out there standing for peace. Last year, our former president dropped 26,000 bombs on seven different countries. The current president seems to be trying to match or beat that horrible record. Meanwhile we are banning refugees from those countries we have destroyed. Show you are publicly against our country's endless wars and occupations by standing with Veterans for Peace.

05/30/17 SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE EVENT DO!SCUSSION

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national network of groups educating and organizing white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. Asheville SURJ hosts a weekly discussion group on risk-taking, accountability, mutual interest and how to call more white people into racial justice work. Anyone with a passion for working with white people on racial justice is welcome. Time is 10 AM and location is Firestorm Cafe & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. Contact Firestorm at info@firestorm.coop for more information.

05/31/17 FUNDRAISER FOR PISGAH LEGAL SERVICES

“Migration”: Fundraiser for Pisgah Legal’s Services for Low-Income Immigrants. May 31 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Progressive dinner featuring Cúrate, En la Calle, French Broad Chocolates, and The Block Off Biltmore, to raise money to expand Pisgah Legal’s services to low-income immigrants due to increased demand. Since 2002, Pisgah Legal Services’ Justice for All Project has served local immigrants in Western North Carolina by providing basic needs such as stable housing, safety from abuse, food security, and technical assistance obtaining legal immigration status and work authorization. All proceeds raised from the event will support this work and will be matched dollar-for-dollar.The progressive dinner begins at Curate at 5:00 pm.

For more information, email brent@pisgahlegal.org or call 828-210-3405.

06/01/17 SEEKING TRUTH & TRANSPARENCY: NORTH CAROLINA’S ROLE IN US TORTURE

Mr. Frank Goldsmith and Ms. Christina Cowger will speak June 1st in Asheville on the recently formed NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture (NCCIT) and on North Carolina’s history in extraordinary rendition and torture by the US government. Mr. Goldsmith is Co-Chair of the Commission, and an area civil rights attorney who has represented Guantanamo prisoners. He will speak on the founding, purpose, and significance of the NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. Ms. Cowger, active in anti-torture efforts since 2005 through NC Stop Torture Now, will speak on North Carolina’s connection to torture and how communities can support the NCCIT’s inquiry. This event will be held at the Land of the Sky UCC at 15 Overbrook Place in Asheville. This will be from 6 to 8 PM on June 1, 2017. Childcare will be available. The public is invited, and donations will be accepted. Donations should be directed to NC Commission of Inquiry on Torture. Sponsored by Land of the Sky UCC, Asheville Friends Meeting Peace & Earth Committee, WNC Chapter of the ACLU, Veterans for Peace Chapter 099, WNC 4 Peace, and Fellowship of Reconciliation. For more information, please contact Susan at dancewater2@gmail.com.

06/01/17 CREATION CARE ALLIANCE MEETING

Meet Sarah Ogletree, our Wake Forest Divinity School Intern, on Thursday, June 1, 5:30-7 PM. At First Baptist Church, MB306 Upstairs, at 5 Oak Street in Asheville. Join us to meet our first Wake Forest Divinity School Intern Sarah Ogletree, to hear about Watershed Discipleship and some of the programs and work she has planned for the summer. We will also celebrate the Earth Day Vigil, Climate March and talk about upcoming events. Contact Scott, Creation Care Alliance at scott@creationcarealliance.org for more information.

06/06/17 CURRENT EVENTS BOOK CLUB

Join host Bruce Roth for a lively discussion on topics of current interest including war and peace, the economy, the environment, and other hot political topics. They are reading “Demand the Impossible! A Radical Manifesto” by Bill Ayers. Time is 7 PM. Contact Malaprops for more information.

06/07/17 CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

This meeting is organized by the City of Asheville. This meeting is free and open to the public. This meeting is at Burton Street Center at 134 Burton Street in west Asheville. Time is 5 PM. Call 251-1122 for more information.

06/07/17 SIERRA CLUB MEETING

Sierra Club meeting, and the topic is “Preventing Duke Energy’s 3rd Gas-Powered Electric Plant.” On Wednesday, June 7, the Sierra Club will present an update from Asheville’s Energy Innovation Task Force about reducing energy use in Buncombe County so as to avoid construction of a new, natural gas peaking unit. Julie Mayfield, Asheville City Council; Brownie Newman, Buncombe County Commission; and Jason Walls, Duke Energy, will report on how the three-way partnership – Buncombe County, Asheville, and Duke Energy – is progressing. The Energy Innovation Task force has been working for just over a year. It has made recommendations to the City and County for new programs and investments. Duke, in turn, has made groundbreaking announcements on the deployment of new technology in our area. Don’t miss this important update. Location is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 1 Edwin Place (corner of Charlotte & Edwin) in Asheville. Time is 7 PM and this event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Judy Mattox at judymattox@sbcglobal.net or 828-683-2176.

06/09/17 CLIMATE RISK AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Friday June 9, 5-6:30 PM. Admiral Titley presentation on Climate Risk & National Security: People Not Polar Bears at The Collider Suite 401, 1 Haywood St. (on 4th floor of Wells Fargo Building next to Pritchard Park) in Asheville. If you would like to help with the Admiral Titley event or need more information, please contact Dale Stratford, bdstratford1@gmail.com.

06/14/17 FAIR VOTE TOWN HALL IN CLYDE

June 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Town Hall gathering for WNC citizens concerned about making democracy fair again. Non-partisan panel discussion about redistricting, featuring Tom Ross, former UNC President and Superior Court Judge; Chris Cooper, chair of WCU’s Political Science Department; Jane Pinksy, from the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform; Robert Orr, former NC Supreme Court Justice; and Republican and Democratic state legislators. Sponsors include Democracy NC, the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform, the Asheville-Buncombe County NAACP, and the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters. Come learn about fair vote redistricting and share your questions and concerns about the current fight for redistricting reform in North Carolina. Location is Haywood Community College Auditorium at 185 Freedlander Drive in Clyde. Free admission.

06/16/17 MORE THAN A MONTH SERIES

Sheriff Van Duncan and Police Chief Hooper - OLLI “More Than a Month Series.” OLLI’s Inclusion Committee has organized a varied series of programs to highlight issues of African American culture in Asheville and beyond. We hope that by offering opportunities to learn more that we will create a forum for challenging conversations. The noted author James Baldwin observed, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” It is in that spirit of facing history and facing ourselves that we take to understanding the many ways that race informs our culture. On Friday, June 16, at 1:30 PM, the Policing Minority Communities: Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper and Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan will discuss the ongoing efforts to build productive relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. Location is Reuter Center at UNCA. Contact Catherine Frank at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville at olliasheville.com or 828-251-6188 for more information.

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ONGOING EVENTS

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TUESDAY

Veterans for Peace have a weekly vigil at 5 PM at Pack Square, Vance Monument during most of the year, but after standard time kicks in, they meet at 4:30 PM.

Showing Up for Racial Justice Do!scussion at Firestorm Coffee & Books at 610 Haywood Road in west Asheville. 10 AM. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice.

Rally at historic Courthouse in Hendersonville at 5 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Organized by the Progressive Organized Women.

WEDNESDAY

Haywood Peace Vigilers have a weekly vigil at 4 PM at Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville

French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.

Green Drinks meets at 7 PM at The Block Off Biltmore on the third Wednesday of the month.

Sierra Club meets at 7 PM at Unitarian Universalist in Asheville on the first Wednesday of the month.

THURSDAY

Political Prisoners Letter Writing at Firestorm Coffee & Books at 6 PM on fourth Thursday of the month. Materials provided.

Welcome Home Tour by Homeward Bound on the third Thursday of the month at 11 AM. Call 258-1695 for more information.

Asheville Prison Books Program is held at Downtown Books & News from 4 to 7 PM.

FRIDAY

Women in Black have a weekly vigil at noon at the City Hall in Hendersonville.

Standing Up For Racial Justice event is held at 10 AM at 23 Edwin Street, next to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. Educating and organizing white people for racial justice.

SATURDAY

French Broad Riverkeeper has a paddle-n-plant to prevent sediment erosion most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Registration required at anna@mountaintrue.org.

Mountain True holds urban forest workdays on the second Saturday of the month at Richmond Hill Park from 9 AM to 1 PM. Call 258-8737 for more information.

Citizen’s Climate Lobby meeting at 12:30 PM at Kairos West Community Center on second Saturday of the month.